Medianoche Honrado’s debuts their album “Curacao”
This recording combines masterful musicianship with solid Latin grooves.
Medianoche Honrado’s album “Curacao” is already receiving regular airplay at KUVO. Bandleader Justin Adams formed the group in memoriam of bassist Jimmy Trujillo.
It features some of Denver’s most legendary jazz musicians. The album blends impeccable jazz soloing with soulful Latin grooves that make listeners want to move.
The band members met through performing with Denver’s salsa and jazz bands over the years. Their shared love and dedication to these genres shine through in the album. Trumpeter Greg Gisbert, one of Denver’s most famous jazz musicians, has performed globally and is a regular in the New York jazz scene; Leo Corona, from Mexico City, and Gonzalo Teppa, from Venezuela, have made names for themselves in the Latin music world.
The group had their debut in 2020 at Nocturne jazz and supper club and performed at the Vail Jazz festival last year. The album release party will be on May 13 in the atrium of the Brown Palace, and they will be performing again at Nocturne on June 10.
The Personnel
Justin Adams – Piano
Justin began performing at age twelve on the pipe organ at Denver’s famous Organ Grinder Restaurant. After studying jazz piano in college, Justin worked as Lannie Garrett’s pianist and musical director, performing with her locally and nationally for two decades.
He taught jazz piano and ensembles at Metro State University of Denver and the University of Colorado at Denver. He has performed with jazz greats Ron Miles, Don Byron, Fred Hess, Kenwood Dennard, Claudio Roditi, and Latin music legends Candido Camaro, Jose Mangual, and J.P. Torres. He is currently the band director at Kent Denver School, where he leads award winning soul, jazz, and world music ensembles.
Greg Gisbert –Trumpet
Trumpeter Greg Gisbert has firmly established himself as one of the most sought-after and well-respected artists in jazz today. He has recorded and performed with a multitude of greats including Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Clark Terry, Horace Silver, Maynard Ferguson, Bobby Shew, John Fedchock, Harry Connick Jr., Jim McNeely, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Nancy Wilson and even Lady Gaga. He has an established tenure with Maria Schneider Orchestra, working with the great composer for almost three decades.
He gets regular calls to play with Wynton Marsallis and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band. A gifted and generous educator, Gisbert has served on the faculty at the University of Miami, Colorado Conservatory for the Jazz Arts, University of Denver, Manhattan School of Music and Juilliard School of Music, and the University of Northern Colorado. Born and raised in Littleton, he is proud to call Denver home.
Leo Corona – Percussion
Leo was born in Mexico City and has traveled the world through music. His career began on piano, but Leo quickly turned to another passion: percussion. He began busking on the streets and subway of Mexico City and later playing with local salsa and merengue bands.
Soon Leo was performing and recording with Latin music greats Jaguares, Lucero, Juanes, Willie Colon, Tom Coster, Paulina Rubio, Ricardo Arjona, Ana Barbara, and others.
Leo toured with Willie Colon for over a decade. He was the musical director for the BMI Latin awards 2005, featuring Carlos Santana, produced an album for the band, Curanderos, and recorded music for the movie “Rudo y Cursi” starring Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna. He moved to Denver in 2019 and quickly became the first-call percussionist.
Gonzalo Teppa – Double Bass
Gonzalo Teppa began studying music at eight years old at the Vicente Emilio Sojo Conservatory in his home state of Lara, Venezuela. He soon became a member of the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, led by José Antonio Abreu, the creator of “El Sistema,” and later performed in Colombia and Brazil under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel.
His albums were nominated twice for Latin Grammys, and he was named “Best Jazz Soloist” by Downbeat Magazine three times. He has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Matt Wilson, Ed Simon, Chris Potter, Tom Harrell, Ron Miles, Art Lande, Slide Hampton, Don Byron, Jeremy Pelt, Ben Goldberg, and others. Gonzalo is a premier bassist in the Denver music scene.
Alejandro Castaño – Drum Kit
Alejandro Castaño, from Denver, has become an active performer and educator in the United States and abroad.
He is one of the most in-demand drummers in the Denver area. His performing and recording credits include: Ron Miles, Eric Gunnison, Greg Gisbert, Peter Sommer, Steve Turre, Benny Bannack III, Gabriel Mervine and others.
He received his BA in Jazz Studies from Metropolitan University of Denver, and currently teaches jazz drums at Denver School of the Arts and the Colorado Conservatory of Jazz Arts (CCJA).
